Drop-C on a five string: what strings to get?

[deathofbalance]

I'm looking to string up my five-string P/J (usually just use the P pickup) CGCFA#. I recognize that I'll probably have to buy a six string set, tune the B up to C and the A down to G, and so on, leaving off the E string entirely. Tonally, I'm looking for solid midrange and high-end that pops, something that will cut through two distorted, drop-tuned guitars. Any suggestions? (I would just play in B standard, but there are some sections of songs that use C or G as a pedal tone in ways that would make it more trouble than it is worth.)

Edit: Playing metalcore in the vein of Avenged Sevenfold and Killswitch Engage. I play pickstyle. Looking for something that cuts through in the mids and highs to compensate for the low-tuned guitars.

Thanks.

[73jbass]

Seems like it would be easier to get a light gauge 5 string set,and tune it to C standard.It's only 1/2 step higher than a normal 5 string tuning.But then it's not really dropped tuning,is it?

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by deathofbalance

I'm looking to string up my five-string P/J (usually just use the P pickup) CGCFA#. I recognize that I'll probably have to buy a six string set, tune the B up to C and the A down to G, and so on, leaving off the E string entirely.

Tension will be uneven

go with C standard

[deathofbalance]

That does seem like the obvious choice, but what about sections like this:

G-----5-0-7-0-8-0-10-0-8-0-7h8p7--------10-0-8-0-7-----7-0-8-0-----
C-0-0----------------------------10-8-8------------7-7----------10-

[enderwaves]

i would suggest against tuning CGCFA. it creates a lot of tension on your neck. ACGCF is way more usable, and won't have your truss rod all bound up. that said, i've had good results with most DR's.

[73jbass]

Another option is to just tune to B standard,and play it wherever it falls on the fretboard,and be done with it.

[knarleybass]

I did some recording and a few shows with this metal band earlier this year, my bass was tuned in a drop c tuning C G C F Bd the gauges were .125 .095 .075 .055 .040, DR Strings made the sets up for me and they worked great!

[deathofbalance]

Originally Posted by 73jbass

Another option is to just tune to B standard,and play it wherever it falls on the fretboard,and be done with it.

B standard is my preference, but again, I want to use open C as a pedal tone. I think I'm just going to go with C standard.

Edit: Pedal tone may not be 100% correct, since it's not ringing through, but I can't think of a proper term for it.

[Saetia]

I've tuned a light gauge 5 string set to Drop C on a 4 string and a 5 string before. It worked out fine. Another idea is to pick up a heavy 4 string set and pick up a light gauge B string single. This way you can better match the string tension with your tuning.

There was also the previouse suggestion of ACGCF which would work out great as well, another would be a bit more redundant but GCGCF.

Peace

-Benny

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by deathofbalance

That does seem like the obvious choice, but what about sections like this:

G-----5-0-7-0-8-0-10-0-8-0-7h8p7--------10-0-8-0-7-----7-0-8-0-----
C-0-0----------------------------10-8-8------------7-7----------10-

Do this



Bb-----------------7--------------------7---------------------------
F-----7---9---10-------10--7h8p7-------------10--9-----9---10-------
C-0-0---7---7---7----7---7-------10-8-8----7---7---7-7---7---7--10-



see how learning the neck pays off

[deathofbalance]

Originally Posted by EADG mx

Do this



Bb-----------------7--------------------7---------------------------
F-----7---9---10-------10--7h8p7-------------10--9-----9---10-------
C-0-0---7---7---7----7---7-------10-8-8----7---7---7-7---7---7--10-



see how learning the neck pays off

It's not a matter of learning or not learning the neck. I'm currently tuned in C standard and have tried playing that, but I simply cannot get it up to tempo. The obvious suggestion, of course, is practice, which I intend to do, but in the mean time, I need a workable solution, since I need the song learned by Wednesday. For now I've just been omitting the G, but I'm wondering if there is a better way.

For reference, the song is Unholy Confession by Avenged Sevenfold, transposed down a whole-step.

The other reason for the hangup about using drop-C specifically is that the two guitarists I've been playing with use it, and I'd like to remain somewhat consistent with them, since my tuning to B standard had caused confusion all around.

Edit: Also, I kind of want to keep the open G because the tonal difference between the fretted and open notes works well on this particular song. I'll be more than happy to take other tuning suggestions, though.

[73jbass]

Why would your tuning to B standard cause confusion? You play it like you want,and let them handle the guitar parts.There is no law that says everybody has to play the same tuning. I had a guitarist insist that I tune down 1/2 step because "everybody does it". I just played a 5 string and played the songs where ever the notes landed on the fretboard.It worked fine. Don't worry about the tone difference between an open string and fretted. In a band setting,it won't make that much of a difference to worry about it. Tune to C standard,and go with it.Keep it simple.

[5 string alex]

Originally Posted by 73jbass

Another option is to just tune to B standard,and play it wherever it falls on the fretboard,and be done with it.

Couldnt agree more. I play in a band which uses drop c tuning and i just have standard tuning on my 5 string. Its no problem.

[lowendgenerator]

I've been through this 1000 ways, and you're first idea is the best. Get a 6 string set and skip the E. The tension will be even, and more or less equal to BEADG tuned standard. I used that fancy graph of tension someone posted here, searched the subject to exhaustion, and did a lot of trial and error to come to this conclusion. I play dropped C on 4 strings, I use .120, .085, .065 and .045. It's the closest thing to perfect I've found yet.

Might I suggest DR Stainless Steel strings for extra mids and cut.

[deathofbalance]

Originally Posted by 73jbass

Why would your tuning to B standard cause confusion? You play it like you want,and let them handle the guitar parts.There is no law that says everybody has to play the same tuning. I had a guitarist insist that I tune down 1/2 step because "everybody does it". I just played a 5 string and played the songs where ever the notes landed on the fretboard.It worked fine. Don't worry about the tone difference between an open string and fretted. In a band setting,it won't make that much of a difference to worry about it. Tune to C standard,and go with it.Keep it simple.

B standard wasn't causing me confusion, I know well enough what I'm playing and what they're playing, but they didn't know what I was playing. I'm probably gonna stick with C Standard, though, since I'd rather have a tuning with uniform intervals between each string anyway. Thanks to everyone for the advice. I'm probably going to go with DR light Hi-Beams, unless anyone has a better suggestion.